Poll: 9 In 10 Americans Support Background Check For All Gun Sales

A photo illustration showing a Remington 20-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, a Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a Colt .45 semi-auto handgun, a Walther PK380 semi-auto handgun and various ammunition clips with a copy of the US Constitution on top of the American flag.

"'There is no significant voter opposition to requiring background checks for gun buyers,' said Brown, 'and there is support for banning high volume ammunition clips and assault weapons, with the issue pretty much falling along party lines.

"'The politics of gun policy are also unclear. Despite the huge news media coverage of the issue since the Newtown shooting, only 37 percent of voters are more likely to vote for a congressman who votes to ban sales of assault rifles, while 31 percent are less likely and 30 percent say it would not affect their vote. And it's worth noting that voters narrowly believe that the NRA more represents their views on guns than does President Obama.'"

The Daily News reports that, last year, 12.1 million guns were sold by licensed dealers who ran criminal background checks. While the number sold outside that system is unknown, the advocacy group Mayors Against Illegal Guns puts that number at 6.6 million.